Public Commander Keen Forum

The score items and extra life pickups probably have something in common other than being junk food among other stuff.

The Keen 1 items are based mainly on food items that the ID Software team consumed while they developed the game (not sure about the book and teddy bear though).

The Keen 2 and 3 items are pretty much belongings of the Vorticons.

The Keen 4 and 5 items are mainly Shikadi foodstuffs.

The Keen 6 items are Bloog consumables (The Vivas are a mystery).

I've come up with items that have a common theme of foodstuffs at the beach (Wednesday at the Beach anyone?)



Mints: 100 points
Pretzel: 200 points
Kebab: 500 points
Umbrella Drink: 1000 points
Chilli Dog: 2000 points
Strawberry Ice-Cream: 5000 points
Cracker: +1 Life point
Box of Crackers: 1UP (100 Life points)

What themes of items would you like to see in a Commander Keen game?

So you're making a Keen game now?

Not exactly. Just experimenting with graphics.

Experimenting with graphics usually leads to a mod! It's the natural order of things

Here are some score pickups based on "Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold":



Beverage: 100 points
Candy Bar: 200 points
Sandwich: 500 points
Food Item: 1000 points
Raw Mear: 2000 points
Steak: 5000 points
Small Bowl of Water: +1 Life point
Big Bowl of Water: 1UP (100 Life points)

The Beverage and Food Item are not seen in the game, but are bought from vending machines.

As far as food is concerned and the limit of 16 colors + 16x16 pixel size limit, I think we've got almost everything to a point where if you draw something that you think is new, would probably look like something that already exists. For example, you could draw m&m's and skittles, but you wouldn't really tell the difference between them. Perhaps to overcome this situation and to come with some new items, you have to draw in 32x32 and with more colors. As for what items, I personally think that there is room for more unusual ones that we don't see everyday. Rare and mythic items. Or depending on where the mod is situated. If it's in space, maybe some space themed items. Winter - some winter items. Etc.

Or you can go for more international offerings, besides the high sugar high gratification American items of the original series... I've for instance featured Dutch cuisine and also eastern European cuisine in two of my mods.

Probably a umbrella drink